What is Zika virus?
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in a Rhesus macaque monkey in Uganda in 1947, and evidence of human infection and disease followed in various African countries during the 1950s.
Between the 1960s and 1980s, occasional human infections were reported across Africa and Asia. However, since 2007, Zika virus outbreaks have been documented in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific.
In outbreaks over the past decade, Zika virus infection has been linked to an increased incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome. When the Zika virus emerged in the Americas, resulting in a significant epidemic in Brazil in 2015, it was first associated with microcephaly (a condition where a baby is born with a smaller than normal head size). Retrospective studies in French Polynesia showed similar findings. From February to November 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to microcephaly, other neurological disorders, and Zika virus. The causal link between Zika virus and congenital malformations was soon confirmed. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease were identified throughout much of the Americas and in other regions with established Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Infections were also detected in travelers from active transmission areas, and sexual transmission was confirmed as another route of Zika virus infection.
Since 2017, global cases of Zika virus disease have declined, but transmission persists at low levels in several countries in the Americas and other endemic regions. Additionally, the first local mosquito-transmitted Zika virus disease cases in Europe were reported in 2019, and outbreak activity was detected in India in 2021. To date, 89 countries and territories have reported evidence of mosquito-transmitted Zika virus infection, although global surveillance remains limited.
Symptoms of Zika virus:
Most individuals infected with the Zika virus do not exhibit symptoms. For those who do, symptoms usually appear 3 to 14 days post-infection and are generally mild. These symptoms include rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache, typically lasting for 2 to 7 days. Since these symptoms are common to other arboviral and non-arboviral diseases, laboratory confirmation is necessary to diagnose Zika virus infection.
Complications of Zika virus:
Zika virus infection during pregnancy can lead to microcephaly and other congenital malformations in infants, such as limb contractures, high muscle tone, eye abnormalities, and hearing loss. These conditions are collectively known as congenital Zika syndrome.
The exact risk of congenital malformations following Zika infection during pregnancy is still unknown. It is estimated that 5–15% of infants born to women infected with Zika virus during pregnancy show evidence of Zika-related complications. These malformations can occur after both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. Additionally, Zika infection during pregnancy can result in complications like fetal loss, stillbirth, and preterm birth.
Zika virus infection can also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy, and myelitis, particularly in adults and older children.
Ongoing research aims to understand the risk and effects of Zika virus infection on pregnancy outcomes, develop prevention and control strategies, and investigate the impact of the virus on other neurological disorders in children and adults.
Prevention of Zika virus:
No vaccine is yet available for the prevention or treatment of Zika virus infection. Development of a Zika vaccine remains an active area of research.
Treatment of Zika virus:
There is no specific treatment for Zika virus infection or the disease.
Individuals experiencing symptoms such as rash, fever, or joint pain should rest, stay hydrated, and manage their symptoms with antipyretics and/or analgesics. It is important to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until dengue virus infections are ruled out due to the risk of bleeding. If symptoms worsen, medical care and advice should be sought.
Pregnant women living in areas with Zika transmission or who develop symptoms of Zika virus infection should seek medical attention for laboratory testing, information, counseling, and other clinical care.
Zika virus cases in India:
According to an official report, the first case of Zika virus infection was identified in Erandwane when a 46-year-old doctor’s test came back positive. Subsequently, his 15-year-old daughter also tested positive, as reported by PTI.
Furthermore, the official noted that two other cases, involving a 47-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, were detected in Mundhwa.
The Pune Municipal Corporation’s health department, led by Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, is implementing precautionary measures such as fogging and fumigation to reduce mosquito breeding and is conducting a surveillance drive. Dr. Baliwant, the health officer for the PMC, informed ANI that 25 samples in total were collected. Out of the 12 samples from Erandwane, two, including those from pregnant women, tested positive. Additionally, 13 samples were collected from Mundhwa, all of which tested negative.
FAQ’s
What is Zika virus?
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus first identified in Uganda in 1947 in a Rhesus macaque monkey. It was later found to infect humans, with the first evidence of human infection appearing in African countries during the 1950s.
How is Zika virus transmitted?
Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact and from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
What are the symptoms of Zika virus infection?
Most people infected with Zika virus do not develop symptoms. Those who do may experience:
Rash
Fever
Conjunctivitis
Muscle and joint pain
Malaise
Headache
These symptoms usually appear 3–14 days after infection and last for 2–7 days.
How is Zika virus infection diagnosed?
Due to the similarity of Zika symptoms with other arboviral and non-arboviral diseases, laboratory confirmation is necessary to diagnose Zika virus infection.
What are the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy?
Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause congenital Zika syndrome, which includes microcephaly and other congenital malformations such as limb contractures, high muscle tone, eye abnormalities, and hearing loss. It can also lead to complications like fetal loss, stillbirth, and preterm birth.
What are the other complications associated with Zika virus?
Zika virus infection can cause neurological disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy, and myelitis, especially in adults and older children.
Is there a treatment for Zika virus infection?
There is no specific treatment for Zika virus infection. Symptomatic treatment includes rest, hydration, and use of antipyretics and analgesics. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided until dengue virus infections are ruled out due to the risk of bleeding.
What recent cases of Zika virus infection have been reported?
The first recent case in Erandwane involved a 46-year-old doctor whose test returned positive, followed by his 15-year-old daughter.
Two other cases were reported in Mundhwa, involving a 47-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man.
The Pune Municipal Corporation collected 25 samples, with 12 from Erandwane (including two positive samples from pregnant women) and 13 from Mundhwa (all negative).
Read our latest articles: https://genzfitness.in/
Free stock market course for Genz– https://genzfitness.in/free-stock-market-course-for-genz-4-formulas/
Best Invest App – Groww